Kai Robin Havnaa (13-0, 11 KOs) has the chance to write his name into the history books with the IBO International Cruiserweight title now confirmed for his clash with Rad 'Thunder' Rashid (16-4, 13 KOs) on March 2 in Arendal.

Havnaa’s historic title fight will be the first time in over 40 years that a male boxer has fought for an international title on Norwegian soil following Harald Skog’s unsuccessful attempt at Victor Galindez’s WBA World Light Heavyweight title at the Ekeberg Hall in Oslo on March 28, 1976.

The IBO belt will give added significance to an already huge night for the Norwegian star as he looks establish himself on the World stage and move a step closer to achieving his ultimate aim of becoming World Champion.

“This is a massive opportunity for me,” said Havnaa. “I would like to thank my promoter Nisse Sauerland for making this possible. I’ve never been so excited about a fight in my life. This makes everything bigger. To have the national anthems and everything else that comes with a title fight, it’s amazing!

“This is going to be a huge milestone in my career. When I started boxing, it was a dream, and now, after many years of hard work, I’m finally here, ready to fight for a title with one of the big boxing organisations, and to do it in front of my home crowd, makes it even more special!

“My motivation for this fight has always been high because I have such a tough opponent, but now there’s a title on the line, it makes it even more important. I need to make sure I’ve trained right and I’m in my best possible shape.

“It would mean everything for me to win and to raise the belt over my head in front of my supporters. I really mean it went I say that everyone who’s there supporting me will have a piece of this belt because without them none of this would be possible. Without them, we wouldn’t be having a big Team Sauerland show in Arendal and I wouldn’t have this chance to fight for my first title.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland says he is delighted to be bringing this historic fight to Arendal, and believes it could be ‘the start of something special’ for Havnaa.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Kai,” said Sauerland. “To get the chance to fight for his first major title in front of his home fans is something special. It is sure to bring more excitement to the SØR Amfi. I hope everyone in Arendal gets behind their hometown hero and cheers him to victory on March 2.

“Winning this belt will open a lot of doors for Kai. He can't take it for granted as Rashid is a dangerous opponent with his own title aspirations, but if he wins, this could be the start of something special for Kai, and for Norwegian boxing.”

Kai Robin Havnaa tops the bill at the SØR Amfi in Arendal with a historic IBO International Cruiserweight title fight against Rad ‘Thunder’ Rashid.

Katharina Thanderz provides chief support with a super featherweight contest against Rachel Ball, Hadi Srour is back in the professional ring to meet Zoltan Szabo, and Kristiansand’s Jamshid Nazari takes on Ivica Gogosevic.

After a whirlwind postponement due to a fire at original destination Sportsmens Lodge in Studio City, it’s finally fight week and the World Famous Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California has stepped up to host this Saturday’s HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT professional boxing show.

The newest generation of TOP RANK signees are set to show their stuff at HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT as Burbank’s Adam Lopez (11-1, 5KOs) will take on Brazilian Aldimar Silva (21-15, 13KOs) in a six round featherweight clash and Lightweight Eric Puente makes his professional debut against Pomona’s Keith Carson (0-1).

This Saturday’s HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT also marks big homecomings for Middleweight Jonathan Guevara (6-0) and Welterweights Vlad Panin (2-0), and Carlos Francisco “Pepper” Saucedo (1-0). Anaheim’s Guevara has knocked out all 6 of his foes in the professional ranks but all in lower level bouts in Tijuana. Guevara will now face off against battle tested Joan Jose Valenzuela (4-11-2). Hollywood’s Panin returns exactly one year to the day he suffered a broken hand in a stirring one-punch knockout at Valley Fight Night. While El Monte’s Suacedo has waited almost 3 years since his maiden bout to step back into the ring and hear his fans yell “It’s Pepper Time.”

Also on the card, Glendale Super Bantamweight Alexander Enriquez (7-0-3) makes his Hollywood Fight Night debut against Mexican Leonardo Torress (4-11) while hard-hitting Ukrainian welterweight Yulian Tembotov (7-0, 5KOs) takes on his toughest challenger to date in tough and durable Chukka “Lion King” Willis (4-8, 2 KOs).

To start of the action this Saturday night, Greek sensation Triantafyllos Mavidis (3-0) will take on upset specialist Roberto Yong (6-14-2) in a 6 round Super Middleweight bout.

MTK Global is delighted to confirm the signing of an advisory deal with reigning IBO female world lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron.

 

The former Team GB star has already blasted to 8-0-KO5 since joining the paid ranks and also holds the WBC Silver belt, with many eagerly anticipating a potential unification showdown with Irish rival Katie Taylor in the future.

Cameron – aptly named ‘Wham Bam Chan’ - said: “I’m so pleased to have joined MTK Global, who are doing great things for so many fighters across the world.

“It was an easy decision to make and I’m really excited about the future now. I want to keep on pushing forward and for the fights I’m in to get bigger and bigger. I know my new team can deliver that.

“The end goal is to unify the division and that involves the fight so many people want to see – myself in with Katie Taylor. That would be huge for women’s boxing and I’d relish the chance.

“I plan to be as active as possible in 2019 and I just can’t wait to get started now this deal is done.”